Thailand to New Zealand | Request

[Bossza007]

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To: <gc@mfat.nz.gov> <Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of New Zealand> basedcnt From: <Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th> Subject: Requesting Berthing Rights to Devonport Naval Base for the Republic Thai Navy Security Type: NSST 1.0 Architecture

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To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Thailand extends its cordial greetings to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of New Zealand. On behalf of the Ministry of Defense of Thailand, we seek to open a communication channel to request berthing rights at the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Devonport Naval Base for the Republic of Thailand Navy. The task force in question, part of Naval Expeditionary Group Four currently stationed in the Coral Sea, comprises approximately two thousand sailors, eleven tactical armed transport helicopters, eleven unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicles, one helicopter carrier, four multi-role guided-missile frigates, and two replenishment tankers. We kindly request permission for this task force to restock and rest at the Devonport Naval Base. New Zealand’s favorable consideration of this request would significantly enhance our mutual cooperation and strengthen the ties between our nations.

Sincerely,

Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Thailand

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Digital Diplomatic Communication​

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[Basedcnt]

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Recipient: < Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th Bossza007 >
CC: < cont166@mod.nz.gov > < interops@rnzn.nz.gov >
Sender: Secretary of Foreign Relations and Trade Simon Murdoch < sec@mfat.nz.gov >
Subject: Requesting Berthing Rights to Devonport Naval Base for the Republic Thai Navy

We would be more than willing to host NEG4 at Devonport Naval Base. However, the berths at Devonport may be of an unsufficent size to accomodate a helicopter carrier and her Group, and as such we request you send the dimensions of each ship in the Group. We also request you send information about stay times, travel information, shore leave times and locations, re-stock and re-supply information, and request that no personnel from the Thai vessels be armed when they step onto New Zealand territory nor any aircraft operate while docked.

Assuming that the ships can safely dock at Devonport, we ask that the following procedure be followed: the Thai Group would rendezvous with HMNZS Wellington (ANZAC-class FFH, for escort and defence) upon entering New Zealand's territorial waters, and with HMNZS Tarapunga (Moa-class PB, for close protection and harbormaster) upon entering New Zealand's EEZ. Furthermore, we request that all active and passive sensors and weapons systems be shut down upon entering New Zealand's EEZ, excluding navigational systems and independent soft-kill countermeasure/decoy systems.

Secretary Simon Murdoch, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Commonwealth of New Zealand

 

[Bossza007]

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To: <gc@mfat.nz.gov> <Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of New Zealand> basedcnt From: <Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th> Subject: Confirmation of Berthing Rights to Devonport Naval Base for the Republic Thai Navy Security Type: NSST 1.0 Architecture

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To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Thailand acknowledges receipt of the communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of New Zealand. We deeply appreciate New Zealand’s prompt and cooperative response to our request for berthing rights at the Devonport Naval Base. Thailand is grateful for your willingness to host elements of Naval Expeditionary Group Four (NEG4) and for the detailed procedures you have outlined.

Regarding your requests and stipulations, NEG4 anticipates a 5-day stay at Devonport Naval Base. The group will depart from its current position in the Coral Sea 72 hours prior to the planned arrival at the rendezvous point with HMNZS Wellington. Shore leave will be granted to personnel in rotating shifts, ensuring that a significant operational capacity is maintained on each vessel at all times. Shore leave locations will be limited to Auckland CBD and the immediate surrounding areas, unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties.

NEG4 primarily requires refueling services and general provisions. Specific requirements will be communicated separately through appropriate military channels as armament provisions are still in stockpile. We acknowledge and will comply with the requirement that no Thai personnel be armed while on New Zealand territory. No aircraft will operate while the vessels are docked, barring unforeseen emergency situations. We accept the escort arrangements with HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Tarapunga. Our vessels will follow all instructions from these escort ships. However, we must express our reservations that NEG4, while deploying less than two-fifths of its group, remains fully capable of engaging in conventional warfare and self-defense. We agree to shut down all active and passive sensors and weapons systems upon entering New Zealand’s EEZ, with the exceptions you noted for navigational systems and independent soft-kill countermeasure/decoy systems.

Furthermore, we kindly request the provision of a dedicated liaison officer from the Royal New Zealand Navy to facilitate smooth operations during our stay, as well as clearance for our ships to maintain their standard electronic emissions for internal communications and basic situational awareness. We believe these arrangements will ensure a mutually beneficial visit that respects New Zealand's sovereignty while acknowledging our countries’ deepening ties. This visit presents an excellent opportunity to deepen our military-to-military ties and showcase the strength of our emerging comprehensive strategic partnership.

We look forward to finalizing these arrangements and to a successful visit by NEG4 to New Zealand.

Sincerely,

Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Thailand

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[Basedcnt]

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Recipient: < Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th Bossza007 >
CC: < cont166@mod.nz.gov > < interops@rnzn.nz.gov >
Sender: Secretary of Foreign Relations and Trade Simon Murdoch < sec@mfat.nz.gov >
Subject: Confirmation of Berthing Rights to Devonport Naval Base for the Republic Thai Navy

We are grateful to host; strengthing the ties between one of the world's largest economies and our nation is of upmost, vital importance.

We request that no more than 350 sailors be allowed shore leave at any time; any larger an amount could have an adverse affect on locals or refugees, should any become intoxicated.

Lieutenant Easty has been assigned as the Thai Navy's liaison officer while in New Zealand waters. His email is nteycom@rnzn.nz.gov, and the Lieutenant will send a confirmation email shortly after mine.

About your electronic emissions: we have no worry for tactical datalinks or high-powered communications networks, we just ask that they be turned off while in proximity to/going underneath Auckland International Airport's approach and departure path.

Secretary Simon Murdoch, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Commonwealth of New Zealand

 

[Basedcnt]

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Recipient: < Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th Bossza007 >
CC: < interops@rnzn.nz.gov >
Sender: Lieutenant Nate Easty < nteycom@rnzn.nz.gov >
Subject: Liaison Officer - Royal New Zealand Navy to Thai Navy

Greetings Minister Sathirathai. I have been assigned from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Base Devonport (DNB) Support Detachment as NEG4's liaison officer with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). I will come aboard from HMNZS Wellington onto HTMS Uthong Narubet, and directly communicate with the Commander of the Group.

Lieutenant Nate Easty, Royal New Zealand Navy
Commonwealth of New Zealand